Captain Robert Sevier (1749-1780) who was mortally wounded in the Battle of Kings Mountain, during the American Revolutionary War. He left behind a wife and two very young sons, the youngest yet a babe in arms.

None of direct ancestors gave their life for the USA that I know of. My 5 great grandfather John Stewart Sr is said to have been wounded at the Battle of Monmouth in 1778 and afterward renamed his son from James to Scoby in honor of the the help he received from another soldier named Scoby.

A direct ancestor Timothy Willetts, a Quaker, was shot by Colonial militia on suspicion of harboring a Tory fugitive in 1777 in NJ. Reading the account of it told by his descendants it's clear that they were deeply embarrassed that Timothy was a Tory sympathizer.

Right off the top of my head would be, Lt. William Daniel Walker Sr. and his father Col. John Rutherford Walker, the both served in the American Revolutionary War at Kings Mountain where the family's property was at. My father Dawson Joseph Walker served in the Korean War and I believe my Great Uncle Harol Prescott Walker served in World War II.

I'm fortunate, in that, although my father didn't serve, I have a long linage of service in my family. From the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War (on both sides) and all the way down to present times. I have four uncles who served as well. I, myself, retired from the Army, and my son served in the Air Force.

Custer can be given part of the credit for the Union victory at Gettysburg. His impetuous charge against a larger formation broke up the cavalry attack that J.E.B. Stuart was supposed to make on the *back* of the union line just as Pickett's charge would hit the front. Given that Pickett did, in fact, make a temporary breakthrough and was narrowly repulsed, it's possible that Custer gets the credit. Of course, many others also achieved narrow victories that saved the Army of the Potomac during that battle.

I have a connection to Custer as well. He is one of the reasons I got interested in genealogy. Growing up, I was told he was an ancestor so I became kind of obsessed with figuring out the lineage. I disproved that connection years ago. It turns out one of my Minor cousins had a child with his brother Thomas (http://www.minerd.com/bio-custer,_thomasc.htm). My Minor third great grandparents were married by Emmanuel Custer while he was Justice of the Peace, and it appears the Minors and Custers were neighbors.

My brother, my Dad, his cousin, my two grandfathers, a couple of great-great grandfathers and scores of "cousins" who fought on both sides of the civil war, a cousin who was with Andrew Jackson through a lot of his expeditions. Many brave men who fought in the American Revolution mostly from Connecticut. Daniel Knowlton is one of my husband's. He fought alongside my ancestor, Eldad Mix and his son Titus Mix.

* SGM Augustus Barry served in the American Civil War in the 16th U.S. Infantry for the Union Army. He received the Medal of Honor on February 28, 1870 for his actions in Tennessee and Georgia during the war. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Barry-1904

**Sgt Edward Francis Barry who was killed in action during the Vietnam War February 15, 1969 in Long An, Vietnam. Sgt Barry was one of many heroes of battle for Saigon during Tet -68 and May offensive. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Barry-1997

Then closer to home, my grandfather Henry R Garde who was born in Massachusetts. In 1917 he registered for the draft and served in the US Army, during WWI. My uncle George C Taft, also was a veteran who served in the United States Army Air Force during World War 2 in the early 1940's. He held the rank of Staff Sergeant. And my other uncle Charles St Sauveur was a World War 2 Veteran, serving in the US Marine Corps in 1943,

I have a number of veterans in my family tree, but none that I can think of who perished while in military service. I'll just be thankful that my ancestors were survivors who taught me well, as I'm a veteran who is a survivor too. I'd have to go hunting up and down lines to find one who might fit the profile.

The Forgotten war. We have a Korean soldier Monument here. It is just like the Korean Soldiers Monument in Washington. This Soldier is alone, but facing the same direction as the soldiers in Washington. Very poignant. My Dad was at Old Baldy in March,1953 with the 7ID. Mags

Our tree is filled with those who fought on both sides of the Civil War, and those who fought for independence in the Revolutionary War.

We honor all of them today.

Memorial Day is a day to honor all who died in service for our country. However, I always think of those whose lives were changed and lived out their lives with the scars and health issues. They are all heroes.

James Thomas Maiden (Maiden-161), my great-great grandfather, who died trying to protect and help his fellow soldiers abroad in France in WWI. I even have a plaque which was created describing his bravery!

My great-grandfather's first cousin Ferdinand Constand Schneider (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Schneider-5131) was killed in the Battle of Château-Thierry during World War I. He was the son of a German immigrant, and he died fighting against the Germans.

My dad, my brother, three uncles, quite a few others back through the Civil War (both sides) and the Revoluton.

Then the other day I found a 3rd cousin, three times removed, who was in the Spanish American War. He received the Medal of Honor for courage under fire rescuing the wounded from the front lines. Date of service 1 July 1898, MOH awarded 22 June 1899. Charles Patterson Cantrell

My 3rd great grandfather John Graham of Peterborough (or Hancock), NH was at the Battle of Bunker Hill. When he ran out of ammunition, he started throwing rocks! I have some evidence that he was wounded in that battle and probably died before 1779.

In my tree I have ancestors who fought in most of the American wars, from 1776 to present. Nine verified Revolutionary Patriots,two participated of War of 1812 , Mexican War and both sides of the Civil War. Spanish American War, my grandfather WWI and II, my Dad WWII and Korea, my husband Vietnam and a son-in-law is now deployed in Iraq. All heroes!